Looking for a place to rest after a long and arduous walk in the heat of Manila? Red Carabao is your place. Manila's newest hostel is located in a quiet, clean, safe & peaceful neighborhood outside the Main Gate of the historic Chinese Cemetery in Santa Cruz district of Manila, just north of Malate. Away from the red light district, but within easy & close reach of everything Manila has to offer, it's right next to an LRT station- your cheap, fast, green, and convenient way to reach essentially all of Metro Manila. Google our online blog and please read our Hostel Conditions!!

Red Carabao is an alternative, self-service hostel ideal for those who want to experience Manila beyond the "sensuous" entertainment in the Malate/Ermite red light districts. Best of all, we're the only hostel in Metro Manila within a 1-minute tricycle ride to an LRT station, which gives you access to everything in Manila and beyond. In addition to squeaky-clean bathrooms, fresh linens, free internet, a modern kitchen, personally tailored tour information, and eco standards, Red Carabao is above all, every guests' home away from home. If your goal isn't to explore sketchy bars and you're staying in Manila for more than 1 night, we're you're honest-to-goodness choice. Our rates, the kitchen, and the LRT will save you time, money, and even your Manila trip altogether.

Hostel Facilities & Policies

Cancellation Policy

This property has a 1 day cancellation policy. Failure to cancel within this time will result in a cancellation charge equal to the first night of your stay.

Must-Read Hostel Info

This property has specific Terms & Conditions.

Terms & Conditions:

We are a traveler community, not a standard stock hostel. You are obligated to socialize and have fun. If organized activities and events disinterest you, let us help you find alternative accommodation.

We are located in a residential area within Manila proper and on the same side of the Pasig River as Old Downtown, which is perfect for getting to know the city. The area is accessible by LRT metro, jeepney buses and tricycle tuk-tuks.

Read, save and print the street-by-street directions to our guesthouse.

Hot shower, breakfast, towels, meals, parties, city tours, cocktails and taxes are offered, but not included.

All private rooms can be upgraded from fan to air-conditioned upon arrival.

Directions

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DIRECTIONS TO HOSTEL:

Find the Red Carabao at 2819 Felix Huertas Street, Santa Cruz District, Outside the Chinese Cemetery South Gate, Manila. The best landmark for taxis is the Chinese General Hospital on Blumentritt Road.

HOW TO GET HERE: Taxi fare is on average PHP350 from any one of the three Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals. Special, yellow Airport Taxis charge 75% over white metered taxis, which can be found by climbing up to the departure wing of any terminal or by walking outside the airport. Tell your driver you want to get to the Chinese General Hospital on Blumentritt Road in Santa Cruz District, Manila, 16km from the airport.

Take Roxas Boulevard north towards Manila City Hall and Quezon Bridge. Make a right on Laon-Laan, left on Dimasalang, left on Blumentritt (Chinese Hospital), right on Aurora Boulevard (corner Security Bank), and a final right turn on Felix Huertas (across Jhemer's Bakery). We are the tallest building on the street.

THE ULTRA-BUDGET MODE: Approach airport staff about hourly bus shuttles (20 PHP, 20mins, daytime) to the EDSA LRT Station. At the intersection of Taft and EDSA, hop on the light rail towards Monumento-Roosevelt and alight at Abad Santos Station (15 PHP, 25min, daily 5.30am-9.30pm). Below the station, tricycle drivers will know exactly where to take you for 20 pesos. Rest easy, everything will be fine if you follow these straight-forward directions and welcome the adventure.

WHAT TO REMEMBER: As a traveler unfamiliar with the City of Manila, many airport staff will coerce you into taking expensive yellow cabs. When asked where you are staying, always say that you are being hosted at a friend's house and said friend will pay for your fare. This is very effectively deters absurd meter fees and long, circuitous drives. Just about every traveler who have used this tactic have saved big time.

Be sure to print/copy/photograph the following street-by-street directions to ensure you arrive within 2 hours of your Hostelworld ETA. Again, to be clear, these are the taxicab directions from the airport:

1. Climb to the departure wing of your terminal and catch a white metered taxicab unloading passengers. Ignore anyone claiming to be airport staff, advising you not to roam free outside of the terminal. Tell them you have been here many times before!

2. Ask the driver to take you to the CHINESE GENERAL HOSPITAL ON BLUMENTRITT STREET IN SANTA CRUZ DISTRICT. Make sure they know it very well and turn the meter on upon riding. Ask to be driven past City Hall and Quiapo Church. Let the driver know that you are staying at a friend's house, not a guesthouse, and that your friend will pay for the meter. This will ensure that you will not encounter any issues.

3. Once in front of the Chinese Hospital (CGH) on Blumentritt Road, turn RIGHT AT THE AURORA BOULEVARD TRAFFIC LIGHT (corner Security Bank). You will see a 7-Eleven and Silver Drugstore at the intersection.

4. Drive 400 meters before turning right into the fifth street across Jhemer's Bakery. That is Felix Huertas and we are the tallest building on the left.

Located Near

The Red Carabao is located in a real residential area that's convenient to reach by metro and way safer than red light districts, which are targeted by tourist crimes. Around here, expect to be greeted by locals who no other agenda but handwaves and cheesy smiles. Taxis are abundant around the clock, and can easily take you to bus terminals for Clark Airport, Banaue, and all other destinations up north. While Metro Manila lacks a city center, Old Downtown is just a few metro stations away.